A Family Facing the Unimaginable

There is no easy way to prepare a family for the words "terminal cancer."

For more than four years, Tim Marsh has fought an unimaginably rare and aggressive cancer with everything he has. He has endured more than 10 surgeries, two gruelling rounds of chemotherapy, six weeks of daily radiation, countless hospital admissions, serious infections, brain surgery, the loss of his left eye and years of experimental treatment. Through it all, Tim has continued to fight for one thing above everything else more time with his family. This month, at just 37 years old, Tim was told that his cancer is terminal. This fundraiser has been created to support Tim's wife, Dani, and their two beautiful little boys, Ollie and Hugo, as they face a future they never imagined.

The Diagnosis That Changed Everything

In April 2022, Tim and Dani both caught COVID. After recovering, Tim continued experiencing sinus pain. Believing it may have been lingering symptoms, he visited his GP and was referred to ENT specialists Dr Arjuna Ananda, Dr Jareen Ebenezer and Dr Amshuman Rao, who discovered a lump inside his nasal passage. Initially, doctors were not overly concerned, but a biopsy was performed to be safe. On 11 June 2022, Tim's 33rd birthday, he received life-changing news: he had cancer in his nasal sinus. Doctors initially believed it was squamous cell carcinoma and warned that treatment might require the removal of his left eye. Tim's response was simple "Do whatever you need to do." Just days later, amid the shock of the diagnosis, Tim and Dani received another life-changing piece of news, they were expecting their first baby.

A Rare and Aggressive Cancer

On 24 June 2022, Tim underwent a 16-hour surgery at Chris O'Brien Lifehouse.

The procedure involved:

• A neck dissection to remove lymph nodes

• A craniotomy to access the brain

• Removal of cancer from the nasal passage

Although doctors were unable to achieve clear margins around Tim's eye, they chose not to remove it at that stage. Following surgery, specialists discovered the cancer was far rarer and more aggressive than originally believed. Tim was diagnosed with NUT Carcinoma (NC), an extremely rare and aggressive cancer caused by an abnormal genetic rearrangement. Because the disease is so uncommon, very little research and treatment data exists. Only weeks after recovering from surgery, Tim began chemotherapy followed by six weeks of daily radiation. The treatment left him battling severe fatigue, nausea and burns to his face and neck. At the same time, he and Dani were preparing to become parents.

The Team That Fought Beside Him

Throughout this journey, Tim has been supported by an extraordinary team of surgeons, oncologists, specialists, nurses and hospital staff.

Tim and his family will never be able to fully express their gratitude for the care, expertise and compassion these medical professionals have provided.

Special Acknowledgement

• Dr Arjuna Ananda, Specialist ENT Surgeon

• Dr Jareen Ebenezer, ENT Surgeon

• Dr Amshuman Rao, Specialist ENT Surgeon

• A/Prof Dr Jenny Lee, Medical Oncologist

• A/Prof Dr Brindha Shivalingam, Neurosurgeon

• Prof Dr Sydney Ch'ng, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgeon

Together with countless nurses and hospital teams, these incredible people gave Tim and his family something priceless: More time.

2022-2023: Major Setbacks and Precious Milestones

In September 2022, Tim became increasingly unwell and was rushed back to hospital. Doctors discovered a brain abscess, requiring further surgery and three months connected to a continuous antibiotic infusion.

Despite everything, Tim and Dani continued to hold onto their dreams.

In January 2023, Tim proposed to Dani during their maternity photoshoot. Just one month later, on Valentine's Day, they welcomed their first son, Oliver John Marsh. Ollie became the first grandchild on both sides of the family and brought immeasurable joy into their lives. But Tim's battle was far from over.

Losing His Eye and Facing More Complications

In May 2023, Tim suffered a seizure at home and was rushed to hospital after sustaining a double shoulder dislocation. Later that month, doctors delivered devastating news: the cancer was growing around Tim's left eye, and it could no longer be saved. On 22 May 2023, Tim underwent another major surgery to remove the eye. Days later, he experienced a cerebrospinal fluid leak after surgery. Multiple repair attempts were required before the leak could finally be sealed, resulting in a lengthy hospital stay while Dani cared for their newborn son at home. During this period, Tim and Dani were forced to repeatedly postpone their wedding as treatments and complications continued to disrupt their plans. Additional abscesses, infections and chemotherapy complications followed, including pneumonia during treatment. Eventually, doctors cancelled his fourth chemotherapy cycle because his body could no longer tolerate it.

2024: Another Difficult Year

Throughout 2024, Tim continued undergoing surgeries and managing ongoing complications. In June, another cancer growth required removal of the bridge of his nose. What followed was a devastating series of failed skin grafts. Tissue taken from Tim's forearm and leg repeatedly failed to heal properly. Once again, wedding plans were postponed. Life became a relentless cycle of Surgery, Recovery, Scans, Treatment and Hospital admissions.

2025: Hope Returns

By 2025, Tim began responding well to a trial drug from the United States. For the first time in years, Tim and Dani felt hopeful enough to start planning their wedding once more. As the wedding approached, however, another skin graft began failing. Tim attended hyperbaric oxygen therapy daily for six weeks in an attempt to save it, but the graft ultimately had to be removed just one month before the wedding.

At the same time, Tim and Dani purchased their forever home. Then, just weeks before their wedding, another routine scan revealed a new cancer growth, requiring surgery only two weeks before the big day.

Finally Saying "I Do"

After years of postponements, surgeries and uncertainty, Tim and Dani finally married on 28th September 2025. Surrounded by family and friends, with two-and-a-half-year-old Ollie proudly serving as ring bearer, they celebrated the day they had waited years for. Soon afterwards, scans showed Tim was cancer-free. For the first time in years, life felt hopeful. They moved into their forever home, began backyard renovations and decided to grow their family.

More Challenges and a New Baby

Sadly, only one month after stopping treatment, new cancer growths appeared. Doctors restarted Tim's trial medication and added a second experimental treatment. The treatment helped keep the cancer under control. In November 2025, Tim and Dani received another piece of beautiful news, They were expecting their second child. Throughout 2026, Tim continued treatment despite ongoing complications, repeated surgeries and dangerously low platelet counts that frequently interrupted therapy. Still, he kept fighting. On 21 July 2026, Tim and Dani welcomed their second son, Hugo Banks Marsh. For a brief moment, life was filled with the joy and chaos of becoming a family of four.

The News No Family Wants to Hear

On 21 August 2026, Tim woke with an unbearable headache and severe pressure in his head. An ambulance rushed him to hospital. Scans revealed cancer progression alongside a serious infection. Tim's condition deteriorated rapidly. He became unresponsive and family members were urgently called to the hospital. Over that weekend, doctors confirmed the devastating reality, Tim's cancer is terminal.

There remains significant uncertainty about how much time he has left. Tim has been advised to stop working and, when medically stable, return home to spend precious time with Dani, Ollie, Hugo and the people he loves most.

How You Can Help

There is no way to make this situation fair.

No amount of money can give Tim and Dani the future they planned together. No donation can give Ollie and Hugo more time with their dad. What we can do is help ease the financial pressure on a family that has spent the last four years fighting for every extra day together. Years of surgeries, hospital admissions, treatment expenses and costly experimental medications have taken an enormous financial toll. Now, as Tim is forced to stop working and Dani prepares for the unimaginable task of raising two young boys without her husband, we hope to provide some financial security during the difficult months and years ahead.

The funds raised will help:

• Provide financial stability for Dani and the boys

• Cover ongoing household expenses

• Ease the burden of medical and related costs

• Give the family the freedom to focus on spending precious time together

• Help secure Ollie and Hugo's future

A Fighter Until the End

Tim has spent more than four years fighting one of the rarest and most aggressive cancers imaginable. He has faced surgeries, chemotherapy, radiation, infections, hospital stays and setbacks that most of us cannot begin to comprehend. Through every challenge, he has remained determined to come home to his family, provide for his boys and build a secure future for the people he loves. If you are able to donate, no matter how big or small, your support will make a meaningful difference. If you are not in a position to give, please consider sharing Tim's story. Every donation, share and message of support helps surround this beautiful family with love during the hardest chapter of their lives.

Supporting Chris O'Brien Lifehouse

While this fundraiser has been created specifically to support Dani, Ollie and Hugo, anyone wishing to make a contribution directly to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse is warmly encouraged to do so. It is a meaningful way to thank the incredible doctors, nurses and medical teams who have cared for Tim throughout his journey and to help ensure other families facing cancer can receive the same extraordinary care.

Thank You

Thank you for helping support Dani, Ollie and Hugo.

Thank you for helping provide Tim and his family with the time, security, support and love they deserve. ❤️